Bear Lake Watch - Splashback- John Holman

 

The Snowpack Has Left the Building! June 14, 2026

I received positive feedback on last months Splashback with larger images. So I'll do the same this month. The complete Water Supply Reports from Utah and the USDA are at the links below. The Idaho water supply update for June is not out yet. Utah Water Supply Report (click here) USDA Water and Climate Report (click here). As of June 1, 2026, Utah has moved into the summer irrigation season with a very limited natural water supply base. Valley precipitation has been adequate overall: statewide year-to-date precipitation at lower elevation SCAN sites was 108% of normal, supported by a very wet October and wet April. Mountain conditions, however, are the controlling issue for summer water supply. Utah’s SNOTEL network showed year-to-date precipitation at only 89% of normal, and NRCS characterized the 2026 snowpack as the worst on record. The snowpack peaked and melted out about a month earlier than normal after below-normal snowfall and a March heatwave, with only minor May storms delaying melt in the small amount of snow that remained. The practical implication is that Utah entered June with poor high-elevation snowpack carryover, limited late-season natural runoff support, and increasing dependence on stored water. Statewide reservoir storage, excluding Lake Powell and Flaming Gorge, was 68% of capacity compared with 86% at the same time last year. Lake Powell remained very low at 24% of capacity, and NRCS reported that June-July streamflow for the Upper Colorado Basin was forecast at only 20% of average. More than half of Utah’s major basins were below the 10th percentile for the Water Availability Index, and all remaining basins were in the lower half of their historical water availability distribution. In practical terms, conservation remains important even in basins where spring precipitation or reservoir storage appears relatively better. For the Bear Basin, the picture is mixed but still water-limited. The Bear has fared better than many Utah basins in year-to-date mountain precipitation, with SNOTEL precipitation at 98% of median as of June 1. May precipitation was below normal, at 82% of normal, but depth-averaged soil moisture remained relatively strong at 74% of saturation, essentially unchanged from last year. Reservoir storage in the Bear Basin was 60% of capacity, down from 77% last year. Bear Lake itself was listed at 783 KAF, or 60% of capacity, compared with 76% last year. The surface-water index data show why the Bear Basin needs to be interpreted carefully. The main Bear Basin Water Availability Index percentile was 49%, essentially near the middle of its historical distribution because Bear Lake storage provides a substantial buffer. But the smaller associated subbasins were much more stressed: Little Bear was at the 6th percentile and Woodruff Narrows at the 9th percentile. This means the main Bear system looks much better than many other Utah basins, but that appearance is heavily dependent on reservoir storage. Smaller tributary and subbasin systems have much less buffer and show clear water-supply stress. Operationally, I would summarize the Bear Basin as better positioned than much of Utah, but not normal in a practical water-use sense. The snowpack year was poor, natural runoff support is limited, and current conditions depend substantially on stored water, particularly Bear Lake. For the remainder of the summer, the key issues will be how quickly irrigation demand draws down storage, whether monsoonal or other summer precipitation provides meaningful relief, and how much carryover remains going into the next water year.

SWE Upper Bear Basin

Rich County Coalition Family Event

 

Sim Bell-County Commissioner

 Well to say it’s been an adventure would be a fair description. I appreciate the support I’ve had and look forward to our county continually improving.

I’ve seen and heard some questions about concerning issues I’d like to address.

As Mayor of Randolph I understand the value of tourism as well as agriculture in our county.

In the time I served on the town board and then as Mayor I feel that we accomplished a great deal in this community in this time.

My hope is to do this and more in the county.

I’ve always thought it would be great to build out a facility that could serve tourism and agriculture somewhere in the county. Paying for it and running it would be challenging to say the least.

Yearly county tourism has almost tripled depending on what year you look at from the 2010 era to the 2020s time frame.

That is good and bad. We need the infrastructure in place to handle those kinds of numbers to keep,

at a minimum, complaints of Bear Lake being ‘to crowded’

Landowner rights along with water rights are just that and are non negotiable and need protected when they are being questioned.

I am all for better mosquitoe control. Sadly it comes with a cost. I won’t profess to know the county budget, but I know quite a few people that would gladly pay a little extra to help with the costs. Me included.

Please if there are any concerns or questions I’m open to old and new ideas reach out or let me know.

307-708-0316

I may not be a great politician in many regards but I do care.

Ballots are out. Please everyone vote.

This commission race will be decided in the primary

Thank you for your time

Sim Bell

The Constitutional Convention-The Virginia Plan (Wkipedia)

From May 25 to September 17, 1787, the Constitutional Convention gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, the first plan of government of the United States. The Articles were widely criticized for creating a weak central government—the Confederation Congress—that was powerless to solve the nation's problems.^[4] 

Under the Articles, Congress was unable to raise taxes to pay for a military or pay off foreign debts. It also lacked the authority to control foreign and interstate commerce.^[5] 

The Articles had no provision for executive and judicial branches, which meant the Confederation government lacked effective means to enforce its own laws and treaties against non-compliant states.

 Drafted by James Madison, and presented by Edmund Randolph to the Constitutional Convention on May 29, 1787, the Virginia Plan proposed a strong central government composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

At the Constitutional Convention on May 29, 1787, Virginia delegate Edmund Randolph proposed what became known as "The Virginia Plan." Written primarily by fellow Virginian James Madison, the plan traced the broad outlines of what would become the U.S. Constitution: a national government consisting of three branches, with checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. 
   
The Virginia Plan went through several revisions before it was finalized. The document shown here from June 13, 1787, is not the Virginia Plan as originally submitted by Randolph on May 29th (that original draft of the 15 resolutions has never been found). This document shows the resolutions "as Altered, Amended, and Agreed to in a Committee of the Whole House," a third of the way through the convention.

Large states supported this plan, and smaller states generally opposed it, preferring alternatives that guaranteed each state equal representation regardless of population.^[4

^] On June 15, 1787, the smaller states presented the New Jersey Plan, which proposed a single-chamber legislature where each state, regardless of population, would have one vote, as under the Articles of Confederation. In July, after the meeting of the First Committee of Eleven, the Convention settled on the Connecticut Compromise, creating a House of Representatives apportioned by population and a Senate in which each state is equally represented

Town of Woodruff

 Notice Date & Time: 6/16/26 5:00 PM -6/16/26 6:00 PM

Description/Agenda:

        MEETING AGENDA 
Town of Woodruff
P.O. Box 154
Woodruff, UT  84086

Meeting Description:  Board Meeting__________________________________________________                
Date:  June 16, 2026               Time:  5:00 p.m.                                      Location:  Town Hall________
	Items to Be Discussed	
 1	Adopt new budget	
 2	Finalize 4th of July plans	
 3	Follow up from previous meetings	
 4	Approval of minutes from May meeting	
 5	Approval of June bills	
 6	Review and initial bank statements/credit card statement/monthly reports	
 7	Other board concerns	
 8		
 9		
10		
11		
12		
13		
14		
	Assignments	

Get Out and Vote!

My name is Sim Bell, and to help people in Rich County to better understand who I am and what I stand for I wrote a brief description.

I was born and raised in Rich County, specifically in Randolph, UT, and my family has deep roots throughout the area. This community is home, and I have a strong appreciation for what makes it special.

I believe in preserving the qualities that define our county while also creating opportunities that allow our children and future generations to live, work, and thrive here. I know each end of the county has unique needs and some differences.

My background includes involvement in businesses that rely on both local agriculture and tourism-two vital components of our local economy. As a county, we should actively support and strengthen opportunities in both of these sectors.

Improving the essential services our county provides will be one of my top priorities. That begins with supporting our county employees and ensuring they feel valued and respected in their roles. When employees are supported, the entire community benefits.

Reliable infrastructure and services-such as roads, sanitation, and law enforcement-are fundamental to a well-functioning community. By investing in proper equipment, ongoing training competitive compensation, and strong leadership, we can continue to strengthen these departments for the benefit of all.

Every resident and visitor in our county deserves consistent representation, quality service, and protection, regardless of where they are located.

I welcome your comments, questions, and feedback.

Thank You

Sim Bell

Get out and vote!

 

I am currently serving as Rich County Commissioner and am running for reelection for Commission Seat A. I have been a lifelong resident of Rich County, I run and operate a small cattle ranch, and have provided mail delivery though out the county for many years. I love Rich County and its people and am very committed to maintaining the culture and heritage we enjoy for the good citizens that reside here, and make Rich County their home.

Why would I like to continue serving? I believe in upholding the Constitution and our personal liberties, and I would like to continue to be part of the conversation regarding the issues that affect our lives, our families and future generations. Rich County is very diverse in lifestyles that range from agriculture to recreation, and from year round residents to seasonal residents. This creates many challenges in balancing the growing needs of the citizens throughout the county. Important issues are facing the county at this time such as Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Human Services, Public Health, Sanitation, Public Safety, Public Lands, Water Quality, Transportation, and creating plans for the future.

I’m honored to serve on many boards and committees addressing each of these issues on a county, state and federal level. I have learned that being involved and part of the process guides the outcome for services, and protects our county and our lifestyle. I am on top of these issues and want to continue to be a voice for our citizens. If you want to discuss anything regarding our county, please feel free to contact me or comment or ask questions on this page. I am always happy to visit with people in our community. My cell phone number is 435-757-8248 and my email is wecox2@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and would appreciate your support in the upcoming Republican Primary election on June 23, 2026.

Take a look at your property and be prepared for fire danger

 

Rich Middle School Honor Roll 3rd Trimester

 6th

 KOHL ARGYLE, Payson Argyle* Kate Bjoralt, CHASE CORNIA, Brooke Davis, Cheyenne Dyer, Emeline Eborn, Adalyn Floyd, Indiana Jones, SILVI LEAVITT, ELLA LEE, Kaylee Linton, Tatum Morse, Macky Payne, Amberly Pray, Myles Pugmire, Briscoe Robinso,n brecken Smith, KREW SMOOT, Kinsley Stocking, Coulson Stringham,* Clay Stuart, Kaislee Stuart,* Brady Weston

7th

Lane Bruce, Blakelee Call, Jaylee Davis, Hayzee downing, ZOE England, Mila Haddock,* MaKayla Holm,* Josephine Kratsas,* Paisley Larsen,* Holden Scott, Emery Smith,* Carter Stacey,* Traiden Stuart,* Cooper Thornock,* Danee Wasden, Brody Weston,* GRACIE WESTON, Lee Weston* GEORGE WILSON, Lola Wright 

8th

NICHOLAS BJORALT* 

KINLEY CHRISTENSEN 

KANDACE COOPER 

KARLI CROMPTON 

MAYLEE GLEAVE 

TRISTEN HILLIER 

WILL HOFFMAN 

SHYANNE HOLDEN 

OAKLEY HUNTER* 

PAISLEY HUNTER 

ISABELLA JOHNSON 

LONNA LEE

 COLT LIMB 

JOURNEE MORSE 

CARSON NELSON 

SADIE PARRY 

DURBIN PUGMIRE 

ISAAC REES 

CHARLES SMITH* 

THEOPHILUS STOCKING 

QUINCY STOKES 

LUCY STUART 

ABIGAIL WAHLBERG* 

BERKELY WESTON* 

CALGARY WESTON 

REESE WHEELER

* RMS HONOR 4.0 GPA